Research Fellow - School of Psychology - 105591 - Grade 7

Position Details

School of Psychology

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413 with potential progression once in post to £48,149

Grade: 7

Part Time (30 hours per week)

Fixed Term contract up to February 2026

Closing date: 22nd April 2025

Background

The proposed project seeks to address the mental health challenges faced by law enforcement personnel, particularly Secondary Investigators and Analysts (SIAs), who experience indirect exposure to traumatic events while supporting investigations into serious crimes such as sexual violence, child exploitation, and terrorism. This project is aligned with the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) strategy, focusing on improving personal safety and mental health in the police workforce.

Role Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Research Fellow to join our multidisciplinary team working on this innovative project. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a pioneering study focused on developing and testing mental health interventions for law enforcement personnel. The successful candidate will lead quantitative analyses and contribute to the design, implementation, and evaluation of intervention strategies aimed at improving the wellbeing of SIAs.

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
• Operate within area of specialism
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to generating funding
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promote equality and value diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
• Lead the design, implementation, and analysis of quantitative research, including surveys, data collection, and statistical analysis
• Manage intervention for SIAs
• Work collaboratively with law enforcement agencies, academic researchers, and mental health professionals to ensure the effective delivery of interventions
• Conduct literature reviews and contribute to the development of project reports and publications
• Provide training and support to stakeholders involved in the intervention delivery
• Ensure the project adheres to ethical guidelines and regulations, particularly with respect to working with high-risk groups.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate will possess:

• A PhD (or near to completion) in psychology, criminology, or a related field, with a focus on mental health, trauma, or intervention studies. First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly
• A strong understanding of law enforcement settings, particularly the challenges faced by SIAs
• Resilience in dealing with sensitive issues and the ability to maintain confidentiality and the ability to professionally represent UOB to partners and external stakeholders, and the capacity to develop constructive relationships with partner organisations
• Experience in running or managing intervention studies, including designing, implementing, and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions
• Good quantitative research skills, including proficiency in statistical analysis and the use of software such as SPSS, R, or similar tools
• Strong project management skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• A solid understanding of mental health challenges in high-stress professions, particularly those working with indirect trauma exposure
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with stakeholders at various levels, including law enforcement personnel and academic researchers
• A track record of academic publications or research outputs is desirable

Desirable Skills

• Experience in conducting research within the law enforcement or criminal justice sector
• Knowledge of current policies and strategies relating to mental health and wellbeing in law enforcement
• Applicants must already have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or be willing to apply for one, as the role involves working with sensitive data related to law enforcement personnel and may require access to secure information

DBS required

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Informal enquiries to Fazeelat Duran, email: f.l.duran@bham.ac.uk

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.